Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:
Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps
Pump Anchoring Recommendations
Introduction
Proper installation and anchorage of Flygt pumps and
installation accessories is critical to limiting vibration
and achieving reliable, trouble free operation. It
is important to remember that all piping, fittings
and supports that are mechanically connected to a
pump are all part of a single system. Vibrations are
unavoidable when a mass, such as a rotor assembly,
is turning at high speeds. The rotating mass of a
Flygt motor together with forces from the motor
and the hydraulic end, will generate an intrinsic set
of disturbance or excitation frequencies that are
related to the speed of the motor (unbalance and
blade pass are the two most important frequencies
affecting vibration). When these frequencies coincide
with a natural frequency of the system, vibration
levels will increase substantially. The likelihood of this
occurring is increased for variable speed applications
where the pumps can operate over a range of speeds
rather than a single constant speed. Most variable
frequency drives have the option to exclude certain
frequency ranges to avoid regions of high vibrations.
In addition, proper anchorage and support is critical
to minimizing vibration. In vertical installations, the tall
unsupported mass of the vertical motor exacerbates
vibration levels at the upper bearing caused by
imbalance, poor installation quality or hydraulic
disturbances more so than in horizontal installations.
Therefore, eliminating system resonances and
ensuring high quality installation in vertical Flygt
pumps is critical to achieving a smoother running
installation.
The following recommendations are consistent with
Industry standards and generally accepted good
design practices for concrete anchorage of rotating
equipment. These recommendations can be applied
to all Flygt pump installations but specific emphasis
is placed on vertical, dry pit installations. Failure to
follow these good design and construction practices
may result in higher levels of vibration than desired.
A registered Civil Engineer should be consulted for
specific construction design details for each individual
installation.
Vibration
Flygt pumps are manufactured to be of the highest
quality to ensure compliance with ISO vibration
test standard 10816-1 and Hydraulic Institute
submersible pump test standard 11.6 for factory
vibration tests. Although the pump itself can withstand
rather high vibration levels (3 or 4 times the actual
limit) under running condition without noticeable life
time reduction, the piping and supportive structure
may suffer and crack if vibration levels are too high.
It should be noted that pumps at stand-still are more
sensitive to vibrations than when they are operating.
To ensure acceptable vibration levels in the field, all
parts of the system should be sufficiently stiff and
firmly anchored so that the primary disturbances have
frequencies below the lowest natural frequency of the
system.
1. Anchor the piping to the floor or another solid
structure (see Piping Support)
2. Anchor the pump firmly to the floor, concrete
base or concrete pedestals (see Anchor
Recommendations).
3. Concrete pedestals are an integral part of the
installation and should be designed to resist
vibrations through proper reinforcement and
dimensioning (see Concrete Foundations).
4. Consider bracing attached to the top of the
motor.
If weak parts like bellows are used, they must be
firmly attached at both sides unless a more advanced
soft installation is desired (see Soft Installation
Alternative for further recommendations on this type
of installation).
Piping Support
Dry installed pumps will generate disturbances that
are transmitted to the adjoining pipe and structure
through mechanical connection of the piping and
the installation structure. Pump speed (imbalance)
and blade pass (hydraulic forces) typically are two
frequencies at which disturbances can occur. These
frequencies can be used to estimate the critical pipe
length; i.e. the natural bending frequency of a pipe
filled with liquid. (see Calculation of critical pipe
length).
 Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:

Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps

Pump Anchoring Recommendations

1. Flygt recommends that the distance between pipe
supports be set at 70% of the critical length.
4. Opening between pedestals should allow for
proper clearance of the inlet elbow flange at the
pump suction.
5. Access to suction elbow and pump mounting
bolts should be considered.
6. The foundation and concrete must be of adequate
strength to support the weight of the pump with its
accessories plus the weight of the liquid passing
through it.
7. Consult a registered Civil Engineer for specific
design details.

Anchor Recommendations
1. Chemical anchors can be used to anchor Flygt
pumps but the bond can degrade over time
and is more elastic than a mechanical anchor.
Mechanical anchors meshed with re-bars in
concrete are preferred to limit vibration in T
installations (see detail H). Chemical anchors are
appropriate for wet pit (P) or horizontal, dry pit (Z)
2. Pipes should also have a support located at a installations (see detail G).
distance of 1/3 of the critical pipe length from the 2. The mechanical anchors length required for pre-
pump. stressing should be well protected to prevent
3. Heavy parts of the piping system, such as valves, bonding (heat shrink or heavy grease) with the
should be properly supported. concrete or grout. For chemical anchors, the
4. Because vibrations are independent of gravity, recommended min embedment depth should be
horizontal supports should be included since entirely covered by the concrete and the anchors
they are as essential as vertical supports. In fact, projection should be protected prior to grouting
support in all 3 planes is preferred to limit axial (see detail G).
movement of the piping. Thermal elongation has 3. For chemical or epoxy anchors, clean out all dust
to be accounted for as well. and debris after drilling holes. Use compressed
5. The anchorage must be able to safely absorb and air or vacuum at the bottom of all holes.
withstand the pump shut off pressure thrust load. 4. Follow the anchor bolt manufacturers instructions
6. Piping should be supported by the surrounding for installation.
structure and not by couplings or pump flanges. 5. Do not exceed the manufacturers recommended
maximum torque values.
Concrete Foundations 6. After the grouting has cured, apply the
1. Concrete pedestals should be reinforced. manufacturer specified torque in 3 steps 33%,
Reinforcement should mesh with the floor rebar 66% and 100% of max torque. At each step,
when possible (see detail F). torque all bolts before starting the next step.
2. Pedestal overall height (concrete and grout) 7. It is recommended to check the anchor bolt
should be as small as possible but should torque for pre-stress relaxation after completion
allow for proper piping alignment and of the initial pump start up test runs. If pre-stress
clearance of suction piping with the floor (see relaxation has occurred, the torque should be re-
detail E). applied as above. If correction was required after
3. Pedestal length and width should be sufficient start up test runs, check again after 50 hours of
to meet Uniform Building Code (UBC) and/or pump operation and repeat this process every
local or other codes as applicable for anchorage 50 hours of operation until pre-stress relaxation
and grouting of the base plate. stops.
 Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:

Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps

Pump Anchoring Recommendations

Leveling stiffness or mass to the system or if resonance is

1. Install and level the mounting plate only (without predicted through system analysis, then it may be
the pump) using steel blocks and leveling necessary to modify the pump installation in the
wedges (see detail B). Steel blocks, leveling following manner:
wedges, and anchor bolts should be coated
with a light oil just prior to leveling and grouting.
1. Provide vibration isolation (bellows or flexible
2. Pre-stress all anchors (lightly torque) after
joints) at the pump suction and discharge
leveling and prior to grouting. Re-check level
flanges.
prior to grouting.
3. Leveling nuts on the anchors should NOT be 2. Provide adequate support of piping immediately
used since the anchor will not be properly pre- adjacent to these joints.
stressed into the concrete/grout foundation. 3. Provide a concrete base of at least 2x the mass
4. Leveling shims and blocks should be as small of the pump and motor.
as possible and placed as far as possible from
4. Anchor the pump firmly to the base.
the anchors such that the voids do not impair
the grout strength after the shims removal. 5. Provide machine feet or rubber carpet between
An alternate solution would be the addition of the base and the floor of adequate dimensions.
threaded holes for jackscrews in the plate (not
standard) and use the jackscrews for leveling The piping must be well anchored if flexible joints are
(see detail C). used. Flexible joints between the pump and pipe can
5. Leveling equipment should be removed and the transform pressure fluctuations into disturbances,
voids filled with grout to allow full support of the causing severe vibrations in the piping. Be aware
mounting plate. that new modes of motion may occur that have to
be handled. Soft installation is difficult to design and
Grouting proper analyses are vital in order to have a good
result. Because of this, Flygt recommends this type of
1. Thickness and application of grout should be per
installation only be designed by an experienced Civil
the grout suppliers recommendations.
Engineer.
2. The grout around the plate should be poured
to approximately of the plate thickness so
that some head is developed and the grout will
contact all areas under the plate without voids
(see detail A).
3. Blockouts shall be provided at all leveling
positions to allow for removal of leveling
equipment after grout has cured. Voids should
be filled with grout after leveling equipment is
removed.
4. A 45 degree chamfer should be located at the
final elevation of the grout (see detail A).
5. Remove air bubbles from grout as it is poured by
puddling, using a vibrator or pumping the grout
into place.

Soft Installation Alternative

It may be necessary in some cases to explore
alternative methods of installation. For example,
harmonics may exist that make it difficult or impossible
to adequately reduce vibration levels. Variable speed
applications are far more likely to experience these
problems due to the wide range of pump frequencies.
If system resonance can not be resolved by adding
 Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:

Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps

Drawing & Details

Calculation of critical pipe length (L)

L = (k*2 / 4*) 0.5 * { [E * (Dy 4- Di 4)] / [Dy2-Di2 * (1- m / )] } 0.25

Where:
L = critical pipe length based on natural frequency (m)
k = (n + x)2 where:
n = mode or order, 1 for first mode
x = 0 if simply support ends
0.25 if one end fixed
0.50 if both ends fixed
-0.50 if cantilever beam
= frequency (rad/s) e.g. blade pass, motor speed, etc.
E = Youngs modulus (N/m2)
Dy = pipe outer diameter (m)
Di = pipe inner diameter (m)
= pipe density (kg/m3)
m = density of added mass, e.g. water (kg/m3)

Leveling and grouting details

BASE PLATE 45 chamfer

GROUT
Leveling
t 1/2 t Wedges
or Shims
(remove
A B after
FORM grouting).

CONCRETE

BASE PLATE

C Jacking Screws (not std.)

(remove after grouting).
(Alternate)

CONCRETE
 Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:

Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps

Drawing & Details

Concrete foundations for T pump installation

(BY CLIENT)

ED = distance to edge W = 2.2 x ED (min.)

ED min. per code ED min. per

code
CONCRETE

Wedges or L min = 2 x (ED + La)

Shims
(remove after La
grouting).

D check
clearance

SUCTION
ELBOW BASE
GROUT

CONCRETE

H*

*
*

*
check
clearance mesh rebar with
E F floor rebar.

* minimum required for

piping/elbow installation
 Issued: 11/08 Supersedes:

Installation Guidelines for Flygt Pumps

Drawing & Details

Installation using chemical/epoxy

anchors

BASE PLATE GROUT

SLEEVE 3d min. sleeve length

FORMS
embedment length as
specified by adhesive
d manufacturer

CONCRETE

Installation using mechanical "J" anchors

SLEEVE
to protect from 4d min.
bonding to grout Sleeve
length

REBAR